Sunday, December 27, 2009
A Season for Celebration - Christian & others
by Angie Burns-Burrell
Pictou United Church - As Rev. Moriarity took a well derseved day off members of the worship committee, Carolyn Moore, Margibel jones, Donna Weaver and Diane Vaughan lead the congregation in worship.
Traditional Christmas Carols were sung with a history of each carol given by the Worship Committee leading up to the singing.
A Prayer for this Holy Season, recognized that as we have been celebrating Advent and Christmas, our sisters and brothers of other faiths have been celebrating Bodhi Day (Buddhist), Hanukkah (Jewish), Kwanzaa (African American and African Canadian), just to name a few.
The congregation also joined together in An Affirmation of Faith adapted from A Latin American Christmas Creed.
Greeting the congregation were Wilson and Margibel Jones and Steward was Brian Burris.
Pictou United Church - As Rev. Moriarity took a well derseved day off members of the worship committee, Carolyn Moore, Margibel jones, Donna Weaver and Diane Vaughan lead the congregation in worship.
Traditional Christmas Carols were sung with a history of each carol given by the Worship Committee leading up to the singing.
A Prayer for this Holy Season, recognized that as we have been celebrating Advent and Christmas, our sisters and brothers of other faiths have been celebrating Bodhi Day (Buddhist), Hanukkah (Jewish), Kwanzaa (African American and African Canadian), just to name a few.
The congregation also joined together in An Affirmation of Faith adapted from A Latin American Christmas Creed.
Greeting the congregation were Wilson and Margibel Jones and Steward was Brian Burris.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
How Silently, The Wondrous Gift is Given…
by Angie Burns-Burrell
Pictou United Church - As people gathered for Second Cup Sunday and for worship, Pictou United was bathed in Christmas light and poinsettias. Poinsettias were placed in the church in memory of and in celebration of friends and family.
After the call to worship and the gathering prayer we marked our Advent Journey “Love”.
Reflections, “How Silently, How Silently, The Wondrous Gift is Given…” told the story about a chance encounter of a young mother and her toddler and a street person at Tim Horton’s and the gift of unconditional love expressed between this street person and the toddler.
The Sunday School added more boxes of food to our “Box It Up” sleigh. The sleigh is taking shape and the hope is to have it completed by Christmas Eve.
Ministry of Music was offered by John Spyder and Marjorie Anne MacDonald “When a Child is Born” after which the Dedication of the Poinsettias took place.
Greeting the congregation was Peter Fraser. Steward was Brian Burris.
Mission Moment was offered by Margaret Anne Dodson.
Lighting the Advent Candles were Sandi & Ben Wallace and Cathy Davis.
Lay Leader was June Cameron.
The congregation was invited to join in caroling in the afternoon.
Christmas Eve worship will be at 7 p.m. All are welcome.
Pictou United Church - As people gathered for Second Cup Sunday and for worship, Pictou United was bathed in Christmas light and poinsettias. Poinsettias were placed in the church in memory of and in celebration of friends and family.
After the call to worship and the gathering prayer we marked our Advent Journey “Love”.
Reflections, “How Silently, How Silently, The Wondrous Gift is Given…” told the story about a chance encounter of a young mother and her toddler and a street person at Tim Horton’s and the gift of unconditional love expressed between this street person and the toddler.
The Sunday School added more boxes of food to our “Box It Up” sleigh. The sleigh is taking shape and the hope is to have it completed by Christmas Eve.
Ministry of Music was offered by John Spyder and Marjorie Anne MacDonald “When a Child is Born” after which the Dedication of the Poinsettias took place.
Greeting the congregation was Peter Fraser. Steward was Brian Burris.
Mission Moment was offered by Margaret Anne Dodson.
Lighting the Advent Candles were Sandi & Ben Wallace and Cathy Davis.
Lay Leader was June Cameron.
The congregation was invited to join in caroling in the afternoon.
Christmas Eve worship will be at 7 p.m. All are welcome.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
“20 Years and Still…”
by Angie Burns-Burrell
Pictou United Church - As the congregation gathered for worship we remembered the victims of the Halifax Explosion and the 20th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. Purple ribbons were available and people were invited to wear them in commemoration of the tragic event.
Reflections, “20 Years and Still…” asked us to think about this tragedy and how the statistics of abuse against women are still startling twenty years later.
The choir offered “Song for Peace” as their Ministry of Music.
Another layer was added to the Sleigh that is being made out of boxes of food which will be donated to the food bank.
Hebrew Scripture: Isaiah.
Responsive Scripture, “Song of Zechariah”.
Gospel Lesson Luke, “Prepare the Way”.
Hymns were Hark the Glad Sound, All the Earth is Waiting and It Came upon a Midnight Clear.
Coffee hour followed.
The Sunday School made peace ornaments to be used as a part of next Sunday’s worship.
Greeting the congregation were David and Angie Burrell. Steward was Brian Burris. Lay Leader was Murray McLaren.
Pictou United Church - As the congregation gathered for worship we remembered the victims of the Halifax Explosion and the 20th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. Purple ribbons were available and people were invited to wear them in commemoration of the tragic event.
Reflections, “20 Years and Still…” asked us to think about this tragedy and how the statistics of abuse against women are still startling twenty years later.
The choir offered “Song for Peace” as their Ministry of Music.
Another layer was added to the Sleigh that is being made out of boxes of food which will be donated to the food bank.
Hebrew Scripture: Isaiah.
Responsive Scripture, “Song of Zechariah”.
Gospel Lesson Luke, “Prepare the Way”.
Hymns were Hark the Glad Sound, All the Earth is Waiting and It Came upon a Midnight Clear.
Coffee hour followed.
The Sunday School made peace ornaments to be used as a part of next Sunday’s worship.
Greeting the congregation were David and Angie Burrell. Steward was Brian Burris. Lay Leader was Murray McLaren.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
HOPE – the first Sunday of Advent
by Sharon Cheverie
PICTOU UNITED CHURCH - With the church beautifully decorated for the season. We gathered for the first Sunday of Advent – HOPE. Greeting the parishioners were Gizele and Natlie Mitchell, steward was Ian MacDonald.
Brian Burris and Bev Simmons gave a report from the F&S committee.
Leading the Advent Candle Liturgy were Dorothy and Byron Bush. Advent means coming, in advent we wait for a coming. We wait for the baby Jesus to bring hope and peace into our world. We are called to be people of hope. Life can be fearful. Advent addresses this. It is four weeks of darkness, fear, waiting and hoping…. Don’t be afraid.
World’s Aids Day (Dec 1rst) is acknowledged on the Sunday closet. Our prayers reflect this day.
As we prepare for our special seasonal project “Box It Up” anyone willing to donate boxes of kraft dinner or cereal may do so by dropping them off at the church or by bringing them to Sunday Service. All boxes will be donated to the Pictou Food Bank following the season.
The first layer was started during service by the Sunday School children and members of the congregation. Many more boxes will be needed to complete our “sleigh”.
Service next Sunday will be followed by Coffee Hour hosed by the Pastoral Care and Outreach Committee, where peace ornaments will be made to be used as part of the ‘Christmas Around the World’ White Gift Worship. All are welcome.
PICTOU UNITED CHURCH - With the church beautifully decorated for the season. We gathered for the first Sunday of Advent – HOPE. Greeting the parishioners were Gizele and Natlie Mitchell, steward was Ian MacDonald.
Brian Burris and Bev Simmons gave a report from the F&S committee.
Leading the Advent Candle Liturgy were Dorothy and Byron Bush. Advent means coming, in advent we wait for a coming. We wait for the baby Jesus to bring hope and peace into our world. We are called to be people of hope. Life can be fearful. Advent addresses this. It is four weeks of darkness, fear, waiting and hoping…. Don’t be afraid.
World’s Aids Day (Dec 1rst) is acknowledged on the Sunday closet. Our prayers reflect this day.
As we prepare for our special seasonal project “Box It Up” anyone willing to donate boxes of kraft dinner or cereal may do so by dropping them off at the church or by bringing them to Sunday Service. All boxes will be donated to the Pictou Food Bank following the season.
The first layer was started during service by the Sunday School children and members of the congregation. Many more boxes will be needed to complete our “sleigh”.
Service next Sunday will be followed by Coffee Hour hosed by the Pastoral Care and Outreach Committee, where peace ornaments will be made to be used as part of the ‘Christmas Around the World’ White Gift Worship. All are welcome.
