Morning Worship
Led by John Sinclair

Be Prepared

John, who is a serving Elder in this Church, is undertaking training to be an Assembly Accredited Lay Preacher in the URC.  This morning we will also be joined by one of his tutors from Northern College, Manchester.

ORDER OF SERVICE

The Church is fitted with a loop system.  The words of hymns and songs, and Bible readings etc are displayed on the screen. Bibles and hymn books in standard and large print are also available from the Welcomers.  As the Service is live streamed you (and / or your family) could be on camera as efforts are made to help those watching at home to feel a part of the worshipping congregation in the Church.  If you have any concerns regarding this, please speak to an Elder or Welcomer.

Welcome and Notices

Call to worship

Hymn – O Come, O Come, Immanuel (R&S 126 v 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7)
           – Light of the World (Here I am to Worship)

Prayers and The Lord’s Prayer

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Family Time

Hymn – Creep, creep, creep (Let your light shine)

Children and Young people continue in groups

Bible Reading – Psalm 22 read by Elspeth Carruthers
                       – Matthew 24 v36-44 read by Emily Phillips

Hymn – Christ is coming (tune R&S 319)

Sermon

Hymn – Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart (R&S 489)

Prayers for others and Offering Prayer

Hymn – Make way, make way (R&S 141)

Blessing & The Grace

NEWS AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS

You are invited to stay for refreshments after the Service if you wish. They will be served in the Forum and in the Sanctuary.  Please do stay if you can to enjoy a time to meet and talk with each other.
If you are in the Church car park and are not staying for lunch would you please
vacate your space by 12.15 so that cars may be transferred from Heathside. 
Charges apply from 1pm at Heathside when the permit time runs out, but there are no restrictions on the side roads at that time.
If you are not able to attend the Church Meeting but would like to vote in the election fo Elders please ask John West for a ballot paper.

Heathside parking permits. Free parking every Sunday from 8.30am to 1pm.  Ask a Welcomers for one to display in your car.

The Traidcraft Stall will be open today in the Forum after the Service, and after the Church Meeting for purchases and orders—time to start thinking about Christmas!

If you would like to donate to the work of the Church this can be done in a variety of ways as described on the “Giving to the Church” page of the website. For one-off gifts, there is a direct link to the Dona online page from the “Give Online” button on the Home page, and the contactless device in the Forum is also
available.  There is a plate at the back of the Church and an offering bag under the Dona device in the Forum for anyone wishing to make a cash donation.

Leading Worship elsewhere.  Andrew Gibb is at St Paul’s URC, Bracknell, the Revd David Netherwood is at Egham United Church and Sydney Shore is at Elstead URC this morning.

Serving the Church on Sundays.  The rotas for the first quarter of 2023 will be drawn up soon.  If you are willing to be a Welcomer, serve refreshments, do a Bible reading or clear up after Communion please let Morwenna, Church Administrator know – office@wokingurc.org.uk or leave a message on 01483 763078.

Welcoming people to the Church during the week.  The Church is a busy place every day with people coming to the various groups and activities which meet regularly as well as the vaccination centre.  The Church has also registered as a Warm Welcome place and there will be people coming in so that heating costs in their homes can be reduced.  If you would like to be a Welcomer to offer refreshments and an opportunity to talk, please contact Tiny, Premises Manager –
premises@wokingurc.org.uk or phone 01483 763078.

Christmas Greetings:  This year we will again be producing, with your help, a Christmas greetings special as has been so successful in recent years. If you want to send your Christmas greetings to the whole Church family, please send your messages, Christmas pictures or photos to magazine@wokingurc.org.uk by 3rd December. These will then all be included in a Christmas ‘Extra’ dedicated to the whole Church family which will be issued during December.  As usual, thinking of the savings made on card purchases and postage, you are asked to make a donation to WaterAid.

Collection point for the York Road Project and Your Sanctuary every Sunday. Items which would be appreciated are: Sugar sachets, coffee sachets, jars of coffee, tea; pasta, rice; squash (orange or blackcurrant), bottled or cans of water; pot
noodles; fresh fruit and vegetables; individually wrapped biscuits or other snacks,
individual chocolate bars, tinned goods; boxer shorts (new) – men’s small and
medium.  Your Sanctuary would particularly be grateful for toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body lotion.

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Any changes to these events will be announced in Church or send out by email.

WEEKLY	CALENDAR
TODAY	Children’s singing practice after the Service 12.30pm Lunch, followed by Church Meeting at approx. 1.30pm
MONDAY	Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade groups -Anchors and Explorers (ages 4/5 – school year 3) 5:30pm to 6:30pm Junior Section Boys and Girls (school years 4-6) 5:30pm to 7pm Company, Senior and Brigader Sections (school years 7-13) 7:15pm to 8:45pm (Girls finish) and 9:15pm (Boys finish)
TUESDAY	9.30am Prayers for Children & Young People in person and on Zoom.  Link is: https://bit.ly/3fBbrv9 Meeting ID: 738 7632 0050   Passcode: WURCyouth
WEDNESDAY	10.00am Baby & Toddler Group 7.00pm Adults’ Singing Practice for Christmas
THURSDAY	11.00am NB New Permanent Time – Prayers for help and healing in person and by Zoom, followed by coffee and social time Zoom – link: https://Zoom.us/j/95986431118 Meeting ID – 959-8643-1118 3.00pm Service of Thanksgiving for Rita Pullen, followed by tea.  There will be a Committal at Woking Crematorium at 2.00pm.  Everyone is welcome to attend either or both Services.  The 3pm Service will be livestreamed via YouTube, please contact the Church Office if you would like to receive the link.
FRIDAY
SATURDAY	From 9.00am Decorating the Church for Christmas.  Donations of poinsettias welcomed on the day or before, also ivy and greenery.
NEXT SUNDAY	Second Sunday in Advent 10.30am Communion Service with Reception of new Church Members led by the Minister. Children’s and Adults’ singing practice for Christmas after the Service Collection point for food items for the York Road Project and Your Sanctuary (Refuges) open every Sunday
UP-COMING	Sunday 11th December, 10.30am Christingle Service with Brigades’ Parade and bringing of gifts for the York Road Project and Your Sanctuary. 4.00pm Service of Carols and Readings followed by tea.