Note:   Pg #s refer to the BAS

This is a light to reveal God to the nations and the glory of his people Israel -Luke 2.32

Processional Hymn: #9. Today I Awake

Today I awake 
and God is before me.
At night, as I dreamt, 
he summoned the day;
   for God never sleeps 
   but patterns the morning
   with slithers of gold 
   or glory in grey.

Today I arise 
and Christ is beside me.
He walked through the dark 
to scatter new light,
   Yes, Christ is alive, 
   and beckons his people
   to hope and to heal, 
   resist and invite.

Today I affirm 
the Spirit within me
at worship and work, 
in struggle and rest.
   The Spirit inspires 
   all life which is changing
   from fearing to faith, 
   from broken to blest.

Today I enjoy
 the Trinity round me,
above and beneath, 
before and behind;
   The Maker, the Son, 
   the Spirit together
   they called me to life 
   and call me their friend.

Welcome & Acknowledgment of Land

Call to Worship:
Your love, Jesus, is an ocean with no shore to bound it.
And if I plunge into it, I carry with me all the possessions I have.
You know, Lord, what these possessions are-
The souls you have seen fit to link with mine. Amen  
(Therese of Lisieux, “Ocean of Love”)

(We prepare our hearts for worship in silence)

The Gathering of the Community (Service begins on p. 185)

Glory to God p. 186

Kyrie Eleison p. 186

Collect: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, for you have sent us your salvation. Inspire us by your Holy Spirit to recognize him who is the glory of Israel and the light for all nations, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The Proclamation of the Word  (Led by Chris Chance)
First Reading:        MALACHI 3:1-4
PSALM 24: 7-10    R:  Let the King of glory enter.
Second Reading:     HEBREWS 2:14-18

Gradual Hymn: #560. God Whose Almighty Word (vs 1-2)

God, whose almighty word,
chaos and darkness heard,
and took their flight:
hear us, we humbly pray,
and where the gospel-day
sheds not its glorious ray,
let there be light.

Saviour, who once came to bring
on your redeeming wing
healing and sight,
health to the sick in mind,
sight to the inly blind:
now to all humankind
let there be light.

The Gospel:        LUKE 2:22-40

Gradual Hymn: #560. God Whose Almighty Word (vs 3-4)

Spirit of truth and love,
life-giving, holy dove,
speed on your flight;
move on the water's face,
bearing the lamp of grace
and in earth's darkest place
let there be light.

Gracious and Holy Three,
glorious Trinity,
Wisdom, Love, Might,
boundless as ocean's tide
rolling in fullest pride
through the world far and wide,
let there be light.

Homily: "Waiting in the Light: A Candlemas Reflection" 

Affirmation of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed     p. 189 (please stand as able)

Prayers of the People    (Led by Rev. Marion)

Confession and Absolution p. 191

The Peace    p. 192

Offertory Hymn: # 435. Take My Life and Let it Be

Take my life and let it be 
consecrated, Lord, to Thee
Take my moments and my days, 
let them flow in ceaseless praise

Take my hands and let them move
 at the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be 
swift and purposeful for Thee

Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from Thee
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose

Take my will and make it Thine, 
it shall be no longer mine
Take my heart, it is Thine own, 
it shall be Thy royal throne

Take my love, my Lord I pour 
at Your feet, it's treasure store
Take myself and I will be 
ever, only, all for Thee

Prayer over the Gifts: Almighty God, accept the joyful offering of your Church, and grant that your Son may shine in us as the light that lightens every nation. We ask this in the name of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The Celebration of the Eucharist

The Great Thanksgiving (Eucharist prayer # 3)     p. 198

The Lord’s Prayer (sung)        p. 211

The Breaking of the Bread (prayer # 2)     p. 212

Agnes Dei (sung) O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us… Grant us Thy peace. 

The Communion (all are welcome to receive communion, or to come up to the altar for a blessing)

Communion Hymn: MV. 194 Bread of Life Feed my Soul
Bread of life, feed my soul,
as the presence of the Spirit makes me whole.
Bread of life, fill my heart
with the grace and mercy you impart.

I have heard your voice calling,
“Come, my friend, and share
in the feast that is laid out for you
to show how much I care”.

Bread of life, help me live
A life as pure and true as Jesus did.
Bread of life, help me see
the boundless love of Christ for you and me.

I have heard your voice calling,
“Come, my friend, and share
in the feast that is laid out for you
to show how much I care.”

Bread of Life, feed my soul,
as the presence of the Spirit makes me whole.
Bread of life,
fill my heart with the grace and mercy you impart.

Prayer after Communion: 
God for whom we wait, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon, who did not die till he had welcomed the Messiah. Complete in us your perfect will, that we in Christ may share in your eternal kingdom; for he is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

Doxology (Old 100th): Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise him all creatures here below! Praise him above ye heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen

The Blessing

Closing Hymn:   #465 Here is this Place New Light is Shining

Here in this place new light is streaming
   now is the darkness vanished away
See in this space our fears and our dreamings
   brought here to you in the light of this day
Gather us in, the lost and forsaken
   Gather us in, the blind and the lame
call to us now and we shall awaken
   we shall arise at the sound of our name

We are the young, our lives are a mystery
   we are the old who yearn for your face
We have been sung throughout all of history
   called to be light to the whole human race
Gather us in, the rich and the haughty
   gather us in, the proud and the strong
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly
    give us the courage to enter the song

Here we will take the wine and the water
   here we will take the bread of new birth
Here you shall call your sons and your daughters
   call us anew to be salt for the earth
Give us to drink the wine of compassion
   give us to eat the bread that is you
nourish us well and teach us to fashion
   lives that are holy and hearts that are true

Not in the dark of buildings confining
   not in some heaven light years away
but here in this place the new light is shining
   now is the kingdom, now is the day
Gather us in and hold us forever
   gather us in and make us your own
gather us in, all peoples together
   fire of love in our flesh and our bones

The Dismissal    p. 215