The document describes a worship service at Pierce Memorial United Church in Kispiox, BC. The small but dedicated congregation has seen growth with the help of Mission and Service grants. During the service, the children proudly collected $26.19 in "rainbow pennies" over the past few months to support the Mission and Service Fund.

1. MINUTE FOR MISSON
“For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty
has put in everything she had…” —Mark 12:44
Pierce Memorial United Church is one of the spiritual homes of the Gitxsan First
Nation in Kispiox, BC. The small but dedicated congregation has seen many changes
over its hundred-year history. It carries out its mission through the help of Mission Order of Worship for
Support grants.
OROMOCTO & PINE GROVE
With encouragement, respect for tradition, and inclusion of the Gitxsan language
during worship, the congregation has flourished. Every week a member of the con-
UNITED CHURCH
gregation puts on the M&S stole and reads a Minute for Mission; the Minutes reas-
sure members that they are not alone in their struggle to provide a warm, spiritu-
ally welcoming place.
After hearing of other children sharing their coins with M&S, the approximately 15 We welcome everyone to this time together in worship. We gather in this church in
Sunday school children decided to collect pennies for M&S in a rainbow-coloured the belief that we are all equally God’s guests whether we’ve been here all our lives
jar. Beginning in September 2009, the children offered their “rainbow” pennies. By or this is our first time. We welcome everyone in this spirit of Christ as it is our belief
the end of December, the jar was so full it would not hold one more penny. On that this is how we are to live. Everyone, without exception, belongs equally at God’s
January 3, 2010, the children were pleased to learn that they had collected $26.19 table.
for Mission and Service.
It is a blessing to be able to give back even a small amount to help others. The rain- If you are visiting with us please sign our guest book opposite the usher’s table. If you
bow pennies proudly joined the gifts collected by the adults and were sent on to are new with us and wish a follow up contact please fill out a ‘Guest/New Member
M&S. As the new year begins, the children of Pierce Memorial are again collecting 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
rainbow pennies. Rainbow pennies and proud, smiling children—God’s blessing in
up one of our Peace Candles to take home with you. An explanation of this symbol
action. accompanies each candle and these can be found on the usher’s table.
Should you require a rest room it is at the end of the hall and it is equipped with a
Together, we carry out the work of our United Church. Make a difference! baby change station. If you have young children who become restless there is a
Join the partnership! Support the work of the Mission and Service Fund nursery behind the back pew where they can play while you hear the service over the
today. speakers. You are welcome to bring a coffee into worship with you. The coffee pot is
in the entrance.
*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
Minister Rev Robert McDowell and MV for More Voices. You are also invited to pick up a Bible version of your choice
Accompanist/ Choir Director Joyce Andrews at usher’s desk. Should you have any concerns please speak to an usher.
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
oromocto-pinegroveunitedchurch.ca
January 8, 2012
10:30 am

2. ANNOUNCEMENTS
SERVICE
Reverse Offering papers are in the offering plates. These are items the food bank
Announcements especially needs. If you wish you can select one and bring that item next week.
A Time of Silence as We Begin Trouble Hearing in Church? Here are some tips. First, should you be experiencing
trouble hearing don’t be silent and frustrated. Simply say “I can’t hear you”. Rev Bob
mostly has his message in his head and as such does not notice when he is too far
Introit: from the mic or not speaking loud enough. If you are often having trouble try mov-
ing to another location. There are always ‘zones’ of good and poor speaker cover-
“I am the Light of the World! You people come and follow me!” age. If you are an usher or someone else who knows how the sound system works
If you follow and love you’ll learn the mystery and you notice someone is not close enough to the mic to hear well please go turn
up the volume.
Of what you were meant to do and be.
Financial Update. The financial situation for Pine Grove, the Pastoral Charge, the
When the song of the angels is stilled M&S fund and other funds is in good order. However the Oromocto United Church
financial situation is falling behind. We are about $2000 behind where we were this
When the star in the sky is gone, time last year and are projecting a deficit for this year unless donations pick up. Part
When the kings and the shepherds have found their way home, of the reason is the increased costs of fuel and hydro but donations are also down.
Please use your Christmas Offering envelop to help us make up the short fall.
The work of Christmas is begun.
Loonie Lunch has proven popular and it resumes today. We need people willing to
“I am the Light of the World! You people come and follow me!” prepare a soup, chilli or other such item and bring it to the church in a slow cooker
If you follow and love you’ll learn the mystery or for the freezer and use at a later date. If you do not have a slow cooker the
church has one you may borrow.
Of what you were meant to do and be.
Lighting the Christ Candle, “Putting Away Childish Things”, a novel by the theologian Marcus Borg, is a won-
derful way to explore contemporary Biblical thought and many of its major com-
plexities, through characters experiencing aspects of their faith in transition. Two
Leader: We believe in Jesus Christ and the Gospel that began in copies are available on the communion table. Please let Rev Bob know if you are
Bethlehem. waiting for a copy to read.
People: We believe in Him whose spirit glorified a little town; of
whose coming only shepherds saw and for whom the
crowded inn could find no room.
Leader: We believe in Him whom the kings of the earth ignored and
the proud would not understand, whose paths were among Jennifer’s fall and winter hours: Thursday mornings and evenings.
the common people, whose welcome came from those
jenniferchiasson@nb.aibn.com
with hungry hearts.

3. announcements
SERVICE
Choir meets every Wednesday at 7pm. New members always welcome People: We believe in Him who proclaimed the love of God to be
Feb 15, Blood Donor Clinic at Hazen Park 5-8pm invincible, whose cradle was his mother’s arms, whose
home in Nazareth had love for its only wealth, who looked
Feb 12, Special Service, Restorative Justice with Christina Farnsworth
at people and made them see what His love saw in them,
Feb 26 2012, Winter Meeting of the Congregations
who by His love lifted human weakness up to meet the
strength of God.
Our new church website is now online. This site is still under construction. Please Leader: We confess our everlasting need of God; the need of for-
have a look at it and send your feedback/ suggestions to Jennifer. There is lots of giveness for our greed and selfishness, the need for life for
room for her to add committee info, photos, etc. Feel free to pass along anything empty souls, the need of love for hearts grown cold.
you would like to see posted on our new site. Suggestions can be emailed to jen-
niferchiasson@nb.aibn.com
People: We acknowledge the glory of all that is like Christ; the
Our site address is:
steadfastness of friends, the blessedness of homes, the
beauty of compassion, the miracle of hearts made kind at
Christmas, the courage of those who dare to resist all hate
and war.
Restorative Justice: Feb 12 with Guest Christina Farnsworth holds two Masters
Degrees from the University of Denver in Conflict Resolution and Cultural Anthro-
pology. She has worked in the field of restorative justice for over four years, both in Leader: We believe that by love expressed the earth will be restored
the criminal justice system and in a university setting. She is a certified mediator and to a garden home for all.
victim advocate, and over the past two years has worked as a trainer in restorative
justice and mediation. Christina brings together her faith in Christ with a strong
belief that restorative justice can transform relationships and communities. People: And we acknowledge a faith in Christ that sees beyond the
present evil and points to a world made new.
Leader: May the light of this candle burn to these beliefs and
hopes throughout this year.
Our Carol to Begin: VU 76, See Amid the Winter Snow
Our Prayer for this day: VU 88, An Epiphany Prayer
Our Carol: VU 70, There’s a Star in East
Some time with the Children:

4. SERVICE SERVICE
SERVICE
Our Prayer, Our Lord’s Prayer
the children leave & reconvenes downstairs *Our Choral Benediction:
My Peace I give unto you
Our Carol: VU 98, How Brightly Shines the Morning Star It’s a Peace that the world cannot give
It’s a Peace that the world cannot understand
Lighting Our Candle of Concern: Peace to know, Peace to live
My Peace I give unto you.
From the Christian Scriptures: Matthew 2:1–12 read by Ian Andrews
Our Carol: VU 96, Will You Come See the Light
Our Message for Today
*Our Words of Faith: page 918 VU, A Contemporary Creed
Our Offering Collected & *Presented: : [Carol #55, vs 4, In The Bleak
Midwinter]
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part.
Yet what I can I give him- give my heart.
Our Prayers of Gratitude, Concern & Our Lord’s Prayer
Our Carol to Leave With: VU 44, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
*Benediction