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“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
Thanksgiving
October 8, 2006
Thanksgiving is a time, especially in this country, when we celebrate the abundance of the harvest and give thanks for our material blessings. The prophet Joel reminds us that, in his day, the people of Israel viewed material abundance as a blessing, a gift from God given to them for their faithfulness. In short, a kind of reward.
In contrast to this, Jesus reminds us that we are called to be people of the “big picture,” the long view, the vision of what the Creator is calling us to. Fussing over the petty details of mundane things in life draws our energy away from the things that really matter. Within the seed of each tear that we sow is the potential for new life in the eschatological harvest. Tears only remain tears when we refuse to allow them to blossom and grow.
If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.
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We Gather To Worship God
Prelude “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” by G. Elvey
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Show us the promise of spring, the flowering of summer, the glowing glory of fall,
All: and our thanksgiving will be lasting, God.
One: Show us the smile on a baby’s face, the fun of two children playing, an old person cracking a joke,
All: and our thanksgiving will be joyful, God.
One: Show us the church caring for the vulnerable, worshipping wholeheartedly, learning enthusiastically,
All: and our thanksgiving will be Faithful, God.
One: For a good meal after a long day, a star-filled sky, a hug from a loved one, an unexpected smile,
All: thanksgiving flows naturally to you, God.
One: Thanks for the things we need: food, clothes, warmth, and shelter.
All: Thanks for the people we love: children, parents and grandparents, friends near and far.
One: Thanks for a time to play: for soccer and baseball, crib and computer games.
All: Thanks for a time to dream: of faraway places, of luscious desserts, of family reunited, of freedom from worry.
One: Thanks for harvest gathered in and for useful work at the office, oilfield, and at home.
All: Thanks for our Christian faith: for prayer offered and answered, for the Good News Jesus brings, for joyful praise.
One: Thanksgiving in all things: when life is testing, in times of celebration, in times of sorrow.
All: My thanksgiving to you, gracious God: faithful yesterday, faithful today, faithful everyday. Amen.
Hymn #226 “For the Beauty of the Earth” (tune # 81)
Conversation Time
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
Prayer of Transformation & Assurance of Pardon
Prayer of Transformation (Responsive)
One: God, we worry! We worry about work; we worry about family; we worry about our health. It seems so natural to worry.
All: The words of Jesus challenge our anxieties: words that speak of your care for the smallest bird, for the most fragile flower.
One: These words put our worries into perspective and secure us when our situation is unsettled, conflict-ridden, and shaking.
All: The words of Jesus lift us from fear, reasoned and imagined, and save us from anger, bitter and consuming.
One: These words call us to calm, to quiet, and to reflection. They are words to
restore our confidence and our hope.
All: The words of Jesus brought peace to the storm-tossed disciples and peace to the mentally sick.
One: These words continue to still our anxieties for the faith community and its traditions, its readiness for mission, and its global vision.
All: The words of Jesus embrace our fears for the world in which we are set, a world sorely in need of the Christian influence of peace… (a time of Reflection).
Assurance of Pardon (One)
We Listen For God’s Word
Biblical Notes
God Restores Fertility to the Land
God against worry (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)
One: This is the Good News of Jesus Christ
Hymn #523 “O God of All the Many Lands” (tune # 518)
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory “Thanks Be To God” by Handel arr. Setchell
(Piano – Shauna Kohls-Walters)
Dedication #227 vs 2 “For the Fruit of All Creation”
In the just reward of labour, God’s will is done.
In the help we give our neighbour, God’s will is done.
In our worldwide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,
In the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done.
Hymn #556 “Would You Bless Our Homes and Families”
Commissioning (One)
Proclaim your thanksgiving! God is good! Rejoice in all God has given you. Declare God’s greatness to those around; work to build up the faith community; let us share our blessings with the needy. To love and understand God, look to Christ, our teacher and friend.
Choral Amen
#884 “You Shall Go Out With Joy” (x2)
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 “Praise To The Lord” by D. Herren
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (October 8 - 14)
Sun. Worship 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
No Jr. Choir Practice
Tues. Board of Elders 7:00 p.m. Lounge
Meditation Group 7:00 p.m. Adoption 2000
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Confirmation 7:00 p.m. James’ Office
Thurs. UCW Electra Unit Mtg. 1:30 p.m. Lounge
Senior Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
Next Week at Westminster (October 15 - 21)
Sun. Worship (M&O Service) 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
Jr. Choir Singing
Tues. Meditation Group 7:00 p.m. Adoption 2000
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Confirmation 7:00 p.m. James’ Office
Thurs. Senior Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
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.).
Nursery volunteers are needed to help on Sundays during worship. Please contact Tanya Hoffarth @ 526-7570.
Goodies are needed for Sunday coffee times and can be dropped off at the auxiliary kitchen.
Youth Confirmation: Anyone in grades 9-12 interested in confirmation, please contact Jane or the church office @ 526-5247.
Bible Study has begun again for the year. All are welcome. We meet Wednesday mornings at 9:30 am in the Nursery.
Commune-I-Care has completed their fall “call-out”, calling 269 families. 206 families spoken to, 19 referrals, 30 messages left on machines, 33 families that we couldn’t contact. Thank you to everyone who was involved in this call-out.
Nutrition 101: The Science behind Healthy Nutrition, featuring Dr. Peter Nieman. 7:30 pm on October 27. The term “whole food nutrition” will be simplified and its value explained, also you will learn why healthcare providers are shifting their focus to prevention. For more info please call Janice Neigum @ 526-1294 or see the poster on the bulletin board.
Fall Supper is on November 4. There are two sitting times: 4:30 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the office (Tuesday-Friday) or on Sunday’s in the Hall, Oct. 15, 22 & 29 after worship. Prices: Adults—$10; Youth 5-12—$5; and Family—$25.
Poinsettia Tartan Tea November 18. The ladies of the UCW would like to invite any women of the church to participate in our tea. If you would like to donate baking for the bake sale table, or help in any way, please contact Yvonne @ 504-1249.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning
in loving & thankful memory of
Jessie Fotheringham,
much-loved Mom of
Pat & Ed Marshall
Celebrations This Week
Birthdays: Carlos Contreras, Irene Cunnings, Debi Hoefling, Walter Link, Travis Nabe, Jean Riggins, Frank Rogers, Ken Spruyt, Quinn Toogood & Mary Warnell.
Anniversaries: Delmar & Erma Adams, Glen & Heather Allan, Wes & Janice Archer, Emil & Marian Bauer, Sean & Mia Glasser & Alex & Marion Shand.
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for all people serving on Conference and National Committees within the United Church.
Sunday School Co-ordinator....................................... Tara Johnson
Greeters & Ushers........................... Adair Prouty, John Robertson,
Mary Robertson & Mary Skjenna
Nursery Attendant.................................................. Janice Neigum
Coffee Hosts.............................................. Joy Biko, Barb Grozell,
Joan Dolman & Pat Thorsteinson
Scripture Reader..................................................... Jacquie Heard
Cantor........................................................................ Pat Connell
Elder-in-Charge......................................................... Ted Sherring
Next Week’s Readings from: Job 23:1-9, 16-17; Amos 5:6-7, 10-15; Psalm 22:1-15; Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31
Stewardship Thought For Today
Make all you can, save all you can,
give all you can.
by John Wesley (1703-91), founder of Methodism
God Loves Everyone by Ronald Eldon Sexsmith
God loves everyone—Like a mother
loves her son—No strings at all —Unconditional—Never one to judge—Would never
hold a grudge—'Bout what's been done —God loves everyone
There are no gates in heaven—Everyone gets in—Queer or straight—Souls
of every faith—Hell is in our minds—Hell is in this life—But when it's gone—God
takes everyone
Love is like a womb—It's like the air from room to room—It surrounds
us all—The living and the dead—May we never lose the thread—That bound us all
The killer in his cell—The atheist
as well—The pure of heart—And the wild at heart—Are all worthy of its grace—It's
written in the face—Of everyone—God loves everyone
There's no need to be saved—No need to be afraid—Cause when it's done—God takes everyone
God loves everyone