HARROWSMITH-VERONA
PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED CHURCH OF
CANADA
Worship Time:
10 am at Trinity, Verona
Office Phone: 613-372-2525 or 613-374-2777
Voluntary
Assistant Minister: Rev. Dr. Peter
Bartlett
Retired Voluntary Minister: Rev. Ian MacKay
Office
Administrator: Rebecca Peters
Director of Music: Stan Stinchcombe
Website: www.h-vpastoralcharge.org
e-mail: office@h-vpastoralcharge.org
Trinity United Church
acknowledges the traditional territory upon which we gather. For thousands of
years, the First Peoples sought to walk gently on this land. They offered
assistance to the first European travelers and shared their knowledge for
survival. We seek a new relationship with the First Peoples of this land, one
based in honour and deep respect.
December
21, 2025
Advent
IV
Worship
Leader: Rev. Catherine Oxenford-Grant
Lay
Reader: Diane Revill
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
We Come to Worship
Introit: “Woman of the Promise” (VU #16)
Lighting the Christ
Candle: (Responsively)
All: We light this candle, a reminder that the
light of Jesus Christ shines in the darkness.
Call to Worship: (Responsively) From
Psalm 80:7
One:
“Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.”
All: Hear our prayer as we worship in the name
of Jesus, the child for whom we wait. Amen.
Opening Prayer: (Responsively)
One:
We pray for hope, peace, joy, and love in a world that feels upside down.
All: God, grant us a vision of your future, so
we may be people of your heart. Forgive us when we get distracted and accept
our repentance. Give us calm in times of chaos and gratitude in times of peace.
Amen.
Words of Assurance:
One:
God comes to us, born as an innocent baby for the salvation of all of us.
All: Thanks be to
God!
*Opening
Hymn: “Hark the Glad Sound” Vss.
1, 2 & 4 (VU #29)
1. Hark, the glad sound! The Saviour
comes, the Saviour promised long: let every heart prepare a throne, and every
voice a song.
2. He comes, the prisoners to release
in Satan’s bondage held; the gates of brass before him burst, the iron fetters
yield.
4. Our glad hosannas, Prince of
Peace, your welcome shall proclaim; and heaven’s eternal arches ring with your
beloved name.
Anthem: “Tomorrow Christ is Coming” (VU #27)
We Give Back
*OFFERTORY HYMN:
“Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow” (VU #541)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise, God, all creatures high and low; give thanks to God in love made known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit, One.
*Offering
Prayer: (Unison)
Bless these gifts and bless our journeys, we pray, that
the needs of our church may be met and the needs of the world gently
touched. Amen.
Lighting the Advent Candles: The Candle of
Love
One:
These past 3 Sundays we list the candle of Hope, remembering the hope
which comes in Jesus Christ, the candle of Peace, remembering God’s dream of a
peaceful world, and the candle of Joy, remembering the Spirit within us who
brings joy. Today we light the fourth
candle of Advent, the candle of Love. (The 1st, 2nd and 3rd
advent candles are lit). Scripture
tells us “There is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18). God created this world in love. God’s love surrounds all aspects of our
lives. From birth to death, in sorrow
and joy, strangers to friends, God’s love is there. We light this candle in love. (The 4th
candle is lit)
All: On this
day, we remember God is love.
Hymn: “Hope is a Star” (please remain seated)
(VU #7)
Love is a flame that burns in our heart,
Jesus has come and will never depart.
When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first and the weak shall be
strong, and none shall be afraid.
Today’s Question: “What does love
mean?”
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, thy
will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.Give us
this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who
trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, For ever and ever.
Amen.
Sunday School Christmas Presentation
We Listen
Scripture Readings:
Old
Testament: Isaiah 7:10-14 (Immanuel
will come) (Pg.
591-592)
Gospel:
Matthew 1:18-25 (Joseph’s Dream) (Pg. 835)
Message: “In Just a Few Words”
We Pray
Hymn: “Angels
We Have Heard on High” (VU #38) (Refrain only) (Please remain seated)
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis
Deo!
Prayers of the People
We are Sent
Forth
*Closing Hymn:
“Angels We Have Heard On High”
Vss. 1, 2 & 3 (VU #38)
1.
Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o’er the plains, and the
mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis
Deo! Gloria,
in excelsis Deo!
2.
Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why
your joyous strains prolong? What the
gladsome tidings be which inspire your heavenly song?
Gloria, in excelsis
Deo! Gloria,
in excelsis Deo!
3.
Come to Bethlehem and see Christ whose birth the angels sing; come,
adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria, in excelsis
Deo! Gloria,
in excelsis Deo!
*Choral
Benediction: “Go Now in Peace” –
Besig/Price
Go now in peace. Never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of every day.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.
Know God will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there watching us in love.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
POSTLUDE
ANNOUNCEMENTS & MEETINGS
Worship Leader
for Sunday December 28th:
Rev. Micheline Montreuil
Lay Reader for
Sunday December 28th:
Rebecca Peters
Greeter for Sunday December 28th:
Linda Shane
BIRTHDAYS: For
everyone who has celebrated and is celebrating a birthday this month happy
birthday to you, happy birthday to you, may God’s richest blessings shine upon
you, happy birthday to you!
FESTIVE CHRISTMAS FELLOWSHIP: We
hope you can stay following the service today for a special festive fellowship. Thank you to Rachel and Rebecca who organized
this special day for our church members, and also a big thank you to Rob Tapscott who donated the turkey for today (it was a big
one!!).
INCLEMENT WEATHER: If
you have not updated your contact information with Rebecca, please do so. This will allow a member from Session to
contact you should we need to cancel a service due to the weather.
Thank you.
CHRISTMAS FOOD HAMPERS 2025: Our hampers rolled out on Thursday
December 18th, hopefully making the season a little easier for 24 local
families. Your generosity and
support of this important outreach truly makes a difference. This is what we do as a church! A major thank you is extended to Verona
Foodland for their continuing support, and to the many volunteers who
help make this even possible – not only for all the food
donations, but also for the monetary donations. May God bless all of you!!
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: Please
join us this Wednesday evening at 5:30 pm for our annual Christmas Eve
service, lead by the Rev. Dr. Peter Bartlett.
CONGRATULATIONS: Thank you to the Trinity choir and their
special guests and friends who put on a spectacular concert on the evening of
Friday December 12th.
The concert was very well attended and as usual, the attendees
enjoyed hearing the songs performed, and all the treats that followed. Well done everyone!
COMMUNITY WINTER BREAKFASTS: On January 10th, 17th, 24th
and 31st, Trinity will once again be hosting our annual community
breakfasts. There is still time
to sign up to help if you are interested.
If you have any questions, please direct them our Diane and Alan Revill
and Ann and John McDougall.