January 29, 2006 - Observer Sunday
Worship Leaders: Jean Riggins, Ted Sherring
Jesus, our amazing teacher, claims the authority that God gives to teach and to heal. Jesus, our amazing teacher, calls us out to preach and heal in ways that restore and build up individuals and communities. We are urged to claim our own authority to make God’s realm visible in word and deed. In what ways might our response to this call bring such gifts to others?
Hymn Sing
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
“Love is the Greatest Gift of All” Mia & Keara Glasser, Anne Lonson
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: God, we come to praise you.
All: For in praising you, we acknowledge the source of our being.
One: God, we come to praise you.
All: For in praising you we acknowledge the root of our faith.
One: God, we come to praise you.
All: For in praising you we acknowledge those beyond our individual selves that contribute to our life in community. It is good we are here, we will overcome all our fears and sing praises to God.
Dear God, open our ears to hear what you are saying to us today. Open our eyes, to see where Jesus’ healing love is needed in our world. Open our hands to do your work and help where help is needed. Open our lips to bring comfort, joy and laughter to your people. Open our minds, to hear new truths about how you work in our world. Open our hearts, to love you, our neighbours, and ourselves as you love us. Amen.
Conversation Time
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
Prayer of Transformation & Assurance of Pardon
Forgive us when we despair of faith’s faltering beginnings. Remind us of Jesus’ humble birth and miraculous growth. Forgive us when we regard Jesus as an intruder upon our will and ways. Enable us to welcome Jesus at all times and in all moments…(Silent Confession)
Assurance of Pardon (One)
When the seed of faith is grounded in the love of God, when it settles into the hours of our days and nights, then it is a durable seed and it will grow with surprising strength. By the grace of God, faith takes root within us. Through the love of God, it is nurtured. Praise be to God. Amen.
God, open our hearts and ears that we may hear what you have for us today. Amen.
The Manna and the Quails
Hymn #578 “As a Fire Is Meant for Burning” tune 374
Psalm 118:14-24 From Everyday Psalms (Responsive)
One: God’s rainbow arches over me; I fear nothing any more. For what can conquer God?
All: Before the beginning, and after the end, God is, and God will be.
One: Everything works together for God’s goals.
All: If God is with me, nothing I do is wasted; like sunbeams dancing on a lake, even my weakest efforts will gather into the glory of God.
One: Gales may buffet me, and storm clouds may darken my face, but God will never give up on me.
All: I will arise and go now; I will sink into God’s watery womb, and rise again into a new life.
One: A new day has dawned.
All: God will look after me. As a piece of driftwood becomes a work of art, so God will find new uses for me.
One: Do not try to second-guess God, for God is greater than all our imaginings.
All: This is the day God gave us—rejoice and be glad in it.
Solo “To Where You Are” Ted Sherring
Whom to Fear
One: This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Hymn #600 “When I Needed a Neighbor”
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory
Gracious God, we ask that, through the act of giving, we grow in understanding and faith. May those things we call our belongings remind us that all creation belongs to you. Accept this morning’s monetary offering and may its value increase as it is used in the spirit of love. Amen.
Hymn #427 “To Show by Touch and Word”
Commissioning
May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in your faith, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope.
Choral Amen
#884 “You Shall Go Out With Joy” (once only)
You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace;
the mountains and the hills will break forth before you;
there'll be shouts of joy, and all the trees of the field
will clap, will clap their hands!
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)
the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)
the trees of the field will clap their hands (clap, clap)
while you go out with joy.
Postlude
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (January 29 – February 4)
Sun. Observer Sunday 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
Junior Choir Singing
Dessert Theatre noon Sanctuary
Tues. Dessert Theatre 6:30 p.m. Memorial Hall
Meditation Group 7:00 p.m. Nursery
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Thurs. Mission & Outreach 1:30 p.m. Lounge
Next Week at Westminster (February 5 - 12)
Sun. Music & Worship 9:00 a.m. Lounge
Worship 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
Food Bank Sunday
Dessert Theatre following worship Sanctuary
UCW Executive noon Nursery
Sunday School teachers noon Shalom Room
Mon. Property 7:00 p.m. Nursery
Tues. Dessert Theatre 6:30 p.m. Memorial Hall
Meditation Group 7:00 p.m. Nursery
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Square Circle 7:30 p.m. Lounge
Thurs. Electra 1:30 p.m. Lounge
Senior Choir Practise 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
James and Jane will be away until February 5th. For emergent needs during this time, please call Rev. Leroy Angle – 526-2237, pager: 528-1214.
Friendship Rosters: Please sign the Friendship Roster this morning. It is a helpful record of your worship presence and a way to share special concerns (ie. prayer requests, name tag requests, etc.).
A newly formed Citizen’s Water Study Group meets, starting Feb. 1st, the first Wednesday of each month to: 1) learn about local water quality and quantity issues; 2) demonstrate care; 3) link with water stewardship and advisory groups. Interested? Phone 526-2226.
Song Circling All the Earth: Ron Klusmeier & Friends – Thurs. Feb. 2nd @ 7:30 p.m. at Fifth Avenue Memorial. Tickets ($12) available at the door.
Food Bank Sunday will be February 5th – items that are suggested for donation are: canned tomatoes, tuna, crackers, cereal, macaroni & cheese and personal hygiene items. Sundry household items are also accepted – suggested items: soup bowls, cutlery, pillows and queen size sheets. All donations are gratefully accepted.
Westminster Dessert Theatre presents two one-act plays by Tim Kelly (Treachery at Cartilage Creed & The Mouse and the Raven) – March 2 – 4. Tickets: $12; $6 (for youth 12 and under) are available from the office during the week.
World Day of Prayer Service – 7:00 p.m. Mar. 3rd @ St. John’s Presbyterian Church (504 – 2 St SE). All are invited.
Celebration of Music Festival - March 5th during the morning service. Any students who are participating in the Music Festival and would like to present either music or speech arts are asked to contact Grace Alcock - 527-6753 or Vivian Bergstreser - 527-2740.
Our next, Baptism Sunday will tentatively be March 19th. Anyone interested in adult or infant baptism please speak to James.
Celebrations This Week
Birthdays: Julie Brown, Shirley Christian, Alvin Cruickshank, Ken Empey, Florence Gardner, Mia Glasser, Rob Henderson, Holly Johnson, Vern Miner, Jim Neigum, Melanie Rattai, Samantha Richard, Danielle Skogen, Kristen Skogen
Anniversaries: David & Ramona Stillar
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning
in loving memory of Beth Findlay
by Anne, Paul & Kent
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for The Right Rev. Peter Short, the Moderator and the General Council Staff.
Sunday School Co-ordinator.............................. Carol Henderson
Greeters................. Sharon Clay, Helen Lamb, Eleanor Townsend
Ushers................................................ Yvonne Hole, Marg Taylor
..................................................... Weta Rachinsky, Sonja Herter
Nursery Attendant.......................... Linda Kinvig, Marg McCulley
Coffee Hosts.......................... Ted & Kim Sherring, Yvonne Hole
..................................................... Linda Kinvig, Weta Rachinsky
Cantor................................................................ Weta Rachinsky
Elder-in-Charge........................................................ Barb Grozell
Next Week’s Readings from: Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39
Spirit Connection
Spirit Connection - Renew your faith in television…
Tonight @ 6:30 p.m. on Vision TV
January 29 – Faith and Popular Culture:
Stewardship Thought For Today
Lifting up another person is good exercise for a healthy heart.
submitted to United Churches by "the Observer"
There is a very popular book called ‘Life of Pi’ written by a young Canadian man names Yan Martel. This book, which won the prestigious Booker prize, has a central theme: Faith in God. It is hopeful that a book written with faith at its core is being read worldwide in what seem like very secular times. When Mr. Martel was asked in an interview what the difference is between belief and faith he said, 'To me a belief is something that you cling to and faith is letting go. As most of us know, it is very difficult sometimes to “let go” and trust in God through all things.
All of us have struggled with faith; this struggle is part of being‑ human. The United Church Observer magazine can be an intricate part of our church life. (You need to submit your subscription fee to the office prior to the end of February).
The Observer is a place that we can turn to, where we find we are not alone in our struggle, that we can be in contact, through the pages of The Observer, with others who are often working through similar faith questions or situations. As David McKane wrote in The Observer's 'Question Box’:
“Doubt is not the opposite of faith, as it is often presented, but rather the flip side of faith. Indeed doubts are the ants in the pants of faith. They keep us awake and digging.”
When we get to that moment when we can let go and trust in God, we are able to loosen our grip on results and expectations. We are better able to release an old belief that may have been making it difficult to experience faith.
There's a story about a man who lived on a beautiful island in the Mediterranean. He never left it because he was perfectly contented and all that he could imagine existed on the island. He eventually grew to be very old and with his last bit of strength he pulled a leaf from a beloved tree to take on his final journey to heaven. When he reached the gates of heaven St. Peter said that he would be very happy to have the man in heaven but he'd have to leave the leaf behind. The old man said that would not be possible for him and he sat outside the gates of heaven clutching the leaf.
Many years passed and a dear old friend came to the gates and asked that the man join him in heaven since he seemed to be headed there too. St Peter reminded the old man again that he was welcome in heaven but he would have to give up the leaf. The old man hugged his friend and said he was sorry but he could not go with him through the gates.
Years and years later, the old man's favorite daughter arrived at the gates and begged him to go through them with her. The old man had grown exhausted and weary waiting for St Peter to change his mind. He loved the daughter so very much. He let go of the leaf, which was by now withered and dry as dust. The daughter took him by the hand and they entered the gates of heaven together. There before the old man was his beloved island, more beautiful and lush than he could remember.
In The Observer we often see faith in action. Take for example a cover article by David Wilson, associate editor at The Observer. He wrote about First United Church in downtown Eastside Vancouver.
"A driving winter rain has chilled Vancouver to the bone, but the man plodding along Hastings Street wears no hat. As he makes his way through the early‑morning gloom he passes by a cluster of shivering souls gathered in front of the Regent Hotel…The hatless man stops to examine a single canvas sneaker in the gutter. He turns it over and over as if he were appraising an antique or a piece of sculpture. Satisfied he puts it inside his overcoat and continues toward a mottled grey building at the corner of Hastings and Gore. The cross on the roof signals First United Church, a place of solace in a hard part of town. Others trudge in the same direction: a bent‑over woman unable to manage more than a couple of inches with each step; a skinny, tottering girl, maybe 16 or 17, with shaggy hair, sunken cheeks and frightened, darting eyes; a big, florid man in an outrageous orange hat, carrying an armful of crumpled newspapers and a cucumber.
Six or seven people mill around the entrance to the church. They pay no mind to the stream of ragged people coming in out of the rain or to the man curled up in a tattered and stained sleeping bag at their feet.
Inside First United, the aroma of sweat mingles with the warm scent of freshly ladled soup. In the church gym about 100 people cradle mugs of hot broth and crumbly pieces of bread...
Sometimes at First United it's easy to forget you're in a church at all. There are no pictures of Jesus on the walls. Crosses tend to be worn rather than held aloft. But viewed from a wider angle, you can see a confident, clearly understood faith underlying everything First United does—a faith re‑affirmed each morning as worship breaks up with a commission to "walk with justice, walk with mercy, walk with God's humble care."
From this article we read about people who live out their faith everyday. The many volunteers and staff who lend an ear, serve soup and coffee, wash filthy feet, and never know what any moment will bring. We also witness the faith of those who belong to the filthy feet, a faith that somewhere is the Jesus of the Gospels, and that somewhere may be at First United in Vancouver.
As Keith Howard, a regular contributor to The Observer's 'Back Page' explains: "The recognition that people come to God in a variety of ways from any life experience constitutes one of the strengths of our church. Some feel the great balm of the Gospel in forgiveness, others in comfort during hard times. Others feel joy in community and still others in the gift and call to hope in the face of despair. All of this and more we claim as gift through Jesus Christ. If none of these are close to the core of our life as congregations ‑ or as a denomination ‑ then perhaps there is no reason to come to the United Church. However if such gifts form a part of our life and story, how can we not share the good news to a hurting world?"
And spreading this "good news" is what The Observer tries to do. It may not always be the news we want to hear, but quoting The Observer's editor, Muriel Duncan, “It accomplishes nothing to sing a happy song and look the other way... by its very name, The United Church of Canada has consented to live with the tension of bringing together very different people. We believe worshipping God together is far more important than our differences.”
There's a story about a gardener who recognizes the value of everything in the garden, even the weeds.
"A couple had been nursing a bed of feeble flowers all summer long. One day the flowers managed to bloom, but their performance was upstaged by an enormous weed that towered above them. "We really ought to get rid of that weed," the husband advised the wife. "No way." the woman protested. "I'm relying on it to set the flower a good example.”
Looking for faith in our own lives, some very simple but moving experiences might be overlooked ... when we wait for children to come home from school, when we watch the skies for rain so that parched earth may once again grow grain. Faith that someone will listen and care, that someone will have lovingly prepared a meal for us, faith that a stranger may become a friend.
Sometimes we feel like Moses in the wilderness with too many people depending on us for their "daily bread". When Moses found himself in charge of a whole nation of people, thousands of people who had nowhere to go, no home, no job, no institutions, he was not in a position to give them anything. If he had tried only to use his rational mind to figure everything out instead of turning to God, they might still be wandering in the wilderness. Faith is more than an intellectual belief in God, it is a closeness that can be felt during our own wilderness experiences. Our faith may be strong and sure or trembling and uncertain. As we journey through this life our faith may fluctuate and land somewhere in the middle. The footsteps back to God can often be found in the stories of others. These others with rich, meaningful stories, might be found sitting in the pew beside us and in the pages of The United Church Observer.