GIVINGS ENVELOPES FOR 2015: Givings envelopes will be provided to

members of the congregation as requested. For those who received

envelopes in 2014, you will have noticed that they are no longer pre-dated.
This was done in an effort to reduce waste of unused envelopes being
disposed of due to the date no longer being valid. As a result, even if you are
a regular contributor to the operating fund, please let Shannon know when
you are ready for more envelopes and she will be sure to have them in the
Narthex for by the following Sunday. When requesting envelopes, please
indicate how many you would like (if you contribute weekly, ask for 52, if it is
monthly, ask for 12, etc.).
GIRL GUIDES MITTEN TREE: The Girl Guides (using Knox Church weekly)
are going to set up a Christmas tree to accept mittens, hats and scarves.
These items would then be donated to The House of Blessing. Please
consider contributing to this tree and allow someone to have warm mittens,
hat and scarf for Christmas.
THE YOUTH GROUP IS GOING BOWLING!
The Youth Group is beginning 2015 with strikes and spares. On Sunday,
January 4th, we will make our own pizzas after worship in the downstairs
kitchen. Then, we will go bowling at Mike's Bowling Lanes. Pick up time at the
Lanes is 3 PM. The cost, including shoes is 10 dollars. Please speak with the
Rev. Mark Gedcke for more information.
SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE: Looking for people to setup and cleanup for
Coffee Hour in the Narthex Sunday mornings. We still need two people for
February, one person for April and one person for May. If you have any
questions, please contact Anne Marie Pauli at 519-271-6718 or email
timpauli@rogers.com.
CHRISTMAS CONGREGATIONAL POTLUCK: On Sunday, December 14 th,
following the Sunday School Pageant worship service we will be holding a
congregational potluck lunch (bring main course, dessert, finger foods, etc.)
Due to the busyness of the day, there is a NEED for help in the kitchen with
the preparations and cleanup. Please contact the office if you are able to
assist with this event. All help is greatly appreciated and welcome!
CHRISTMAS LETTER: The Christmas Letter is available for pick up this
Sunday in the box in the Narthex. If you are able to deliver any of the
envelopes to folks of our church, please do this.

FOOD BANK: Make the Food Bank part of your Christmas

celebration. The table in the Narthex has a good variety of foods
needed and prices start at 25 cents. Every purchase makes a
difference.

KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

December 7, 2014 11:00 am
Minister - Rev. Mark Gedcke
Director of Music- Suzanne Strahan

Preparation for Worship Prayer, Meditation and Visiting

Prelude: In The Bleak Mid Winter arr. John Innes
Welcome and Announcements
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Leader: According to the gospels, John the Baptist came in from the
wilderness to proclaim the word of the Lord.
Repent, for the kingdom of God is ready to begin here and
now.
People: Let us attend to the ancient prophecy that heralds
Emmanuel.
Leader: Prepare the way of the Lord; make a clear path, for God
desires to dwell with us.
People: From the deserts, the dry and rocky places of our lives,
we come to worship.
(Carol E. Bayma, Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church, Norfolk,
Virginia, Gathering, Resources for Worship Planners, The United
Church of Canada)
OPENING HYMN: #126 On Jordans Bank the Baptists Cry
PRAYER OF ADORATION, CONFESSION AND 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. Forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the
glory forever and ever. Amen
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
PASSING OF THE PEACE:
Leader: The Peace of Christ be with you
Congregation: And also with you.

ADVENT READING
ANTHEM: Christmas Day Is On Its Way Cynthia Gray
CHILDRENS HYMN:

Imagine (see insert)

CHILDRENS TIME:
SCRIPTURE:
Colossians 3:12-17
Mark 1:1-8
SERMON:

Clothed in Christ

OFFERING
OFFERTORY: Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day trad. English,
arr. D.E. Wagner
OFFERTORY PRAISE: #119 Hope is a Star (v 2)
OFFERING PRAYER (together)
O come to us, Emmanuel, and make our giving holy. For what is here
is freely given, with hope and joy and love; let our small gifts join with
others so that our world may become your dream of peace. Amen
(Kate Crawford, First St. Andrews United Church, London, Ontario,
Gathering, Resources for Worship Planners, The United Church of
Canada)
COMMUNION HYMN:

Angels from the Realms of Glory (see insert)

INVITATION
THE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING #564
COMMUNION
CLOSING HYMN: #153 Joy to the World
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE:

The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came trad. Basque,

arr. A.L. Page

Minister: Rev. Mark Gedcke 519 575 8817

or by email at mgedcke@knoxstratford.com
Director of Music: Suzanne Strahan
Office Administrator: Kathy Baker knoxs@wightman.ca
Treasurer: Shannon Archer
Office: 519-271-0373 Office Hours 9am- 1pm Tuesday through Friday

Church Opening Today: Tim Pauli

Church Opening Next Week: Tim Pauli
Ushers this week: Terry Barton, Annie Pottle, Ron Gray, Laird
Christie
Ushers next week: Richard Bast, Joanne & Kevin Miller, Diane
Parker
Lighting of the Advent Candle: Max Longfield
Greeters this week: Eleanor Waldie & Vivien Harding
Greeters next week: George & Bev Hider
Coffee: Anne Marie & Tim Pauli
UPCOMING: On December 14th, we look forward to the Sunday School
leading us in worship and sharing the story of Jesus' birth through a
Christmas Pageant followed by a potluck lunch in the banquet hall for
everyone.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

Childrens Service: 6:00 p.m.
Community Service: 7:30 p.m. (followed by reception in the banquet
hall)
FUNDRAISER FOR KNOX: We are excited to announce that Rant Maggie
Rant will be holding their Christmas Concert here at Knox on Saturday,
December 13, 2014. This group is local and always has a wonderful concert.
Please be sure to put this on your calendar. We will be needing volunteers for
this event, so if you have time and are willing, please contact the office. We
would appreciate your support for this concert as it is a fundraiser for Knox.
Tickets will be available for sale in the Narthex this morning. Also, if you
would like poster to advertise this concert, these will also be available.
Thanks
NICARAGUA MISSION TRIP: Michael Bachner is embarking on a medical
aid trip to Nicaragua for two weeks this coming February. He is participating
in this through an organization called Friends of the Orphans Canada.
FOTOCAN is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to improving the
lives of orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children through the
support of the NPH network of orphanages in Latin America and the
Caribbean. We will be working with STIMMA (Short Term International
Missions Abroad) who will be providing some of the medical manpower. He
has always wanted to travel and help those in need and now has the
opportunity to do so but, like everything, it comes at a cost. Therefore, any
donations to help defray the cost of his going on this mission would be greatly
appreciated. He welcomes any support you wish to offer in the form of a cash
donation or cheque payable to him. If there are other methods in which you
wish to contribute or any if you have any questions, dont hesitate to contact
him.
Thank you for your support.
Michael F. Bachner
Email: bachner@sympatico.ca

Cell #: 519-301-4690

Home #: 519-284-1271

IMAGINE
Who hears? Who hears the voice of the hungry, the thirsty?
Who sees? Who sees the tears of the suffring ones?
Imagine a King who would come through the darkness
And walk where I walk full of greatness,
And call me to His side,
Just like a father and child.
Who knows? Who knows the hopes that lie hidden, forgotten?
Who comes? Who comes to lead all the children home?
Imagine a King who would come through the darkness
And walk where I walk full of greatness,
And call me to His side,
Just like a father and child.

ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY

Angels from the realms of glory,
wing your flight oer all the earth;
ye who sang creations story,
now proclaim Messiahs birth.
Refrain:

Come and worship, come and worship;

worship Christ, the new-born King.

Shepherds in the field abiding,

watching oer your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
yonder shines the infant Light.
Refrain
All who come with hearts confessing
thus approach his table now.
Let us, with the Saviours blessing,
in his presence humbly bow.
Refrain
May the bread of life enfold us,
may the wine instill the love
of the Christ Child, long foretold us,
now proclaimed from heaven above.
Refrain