“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
October 15, 2006
World Food Day
World Food Day was established in November, 1979 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), an autonomous and specialized agency of the United Nations.
The FAO’s basic aim is to eliminate hunger and poverty, which it considers to be interlinked. In view of the magnitude and incidence of rural poverty, which particularly affects small farmers, small fishers, forest dwellers, and other marginalized poor, the FAO encourages integrated rural development policies and programs covering food and fodder crops, animal husbandry, fisheries, and forestry in order to enhance food production, develop sound environmental management, and promote economic self-reliance.
If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.
Prelude “Pieces from the Anna Magdalena Notebook” by J.S. Bach
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: God the creator, you have made the earth so that all may share in its yield and have abundant life.
All: Among your gifts to your people are the soil and the water and the means to sow and to reap.
One: You plant in your people the seeds of compassion so they may share the
earth’s bounty with those in need.
All: You keep us mindful that all people have a right to food and to the means to produce it.
Praise be to God who has blessed God’s people with life and dignity. God smiles on all God’s children. God gives us the ability to work the earth and to coax from its soil a dazzling array of nourishing fruits. God gives us the means to live life fully. Let us give thanks to God who has smiled on us and has entrusted us with the care of creation and of each other. Amen.
Jr. Choir: “We Give Thanks” by Monica O’Brien & Trisha Watts
Conversation Time
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
Litany of Transformation
Litany of Transformation (Responsive)
One: In fields at home and in lands faraway, the once tender shoots of spring are transformed into food for the harvest-wheat on the Canadian prairies, teff in the highlands of Ethiopia, quinoa in Peru’s altaplano, rice in the paddies of the Philippines.
All: The earth gives up its bounty so that all may eat and be nourished.
One: But in the midst of plenty, there is scarcity; many of God’s children cry out for food and are hungry.
All: Let our ears be open to their cries.
One: Sandwiches and cups of coffee will not satisfy the needs of the urban poor, nor will shipments of food grains end the poverty and hunger of rural people the world over.
All: Aid for the poor is important. It is the sign of a generous and caring neighbour. Still God calls us to do more.
One: To be secure in food is not merely to know someone will give you food, but to have the means to grow your own food and to feed yourself.
All: Our mission is to share the fruits of our own land, but also to ask the question: “Why in the midst of plenty are people without food?”
One: It is the structures and patterns of relating, built up and calcified over many generations, that contribute to poverty and food insecurity.
All: “Food for all” must be more than a slogan. All people must have security in food. All must have dignity in life.
One: Our task is twofold: to give generously and to seek justice. Charity alone
offers crumbs from the table; justice offers a place at the table. Amen.
The Garden of Eden
Hymn #296 “This Is God’s Wondrous World”
Jesus Feeds Four Thousand People
One: This is the Good News of Jesus Christ
Hymn #600 “When I Needed a Neighbour”
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory “Autumn” by Mayka Par
Accept these gifts, God. We trust your grace to bless them and us for your kingdom work of turning things upside down to bring justice in your world. Amen
Hymn #226 “For the Beauty of the Earth”
Commissioning (One)
May God, who tills the soil with love and waters its gardens with compassion, who calls us to do good works, inspire us, empower us, embolden us to challenge the principalities and powers for the benefit of all people, to love and live daringly, for now and evermore.
Choral Amen
#298 “When You Walk From Here”
When you walk from here, when you walk from here.
Walk with justice, walk with mercy, and with God’s humble care.
Postlude “Tarantelle styrienne” by Debussy
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (Oct 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 Practise 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
Next Week at Westminster (Oct 22-28)
Sun. Christian Development 9:00 a.m. Lounge
Worship 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
Jr. Choir Practice after worship Lounge
Tues. Meditation Group 7:00 p.m. Nursery
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Confirmation 7:00 p.m. James’ Office
Thurs. Senior Choir Practise 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.
Jane is away attending a course in SK this weekend; and James is one of five men from the congregation attending the Banff Men’s Weekend.
The volunteers of the Unisphere Global Resource Centre invite you to World Food Day Dinner 2006 on Wed., Oct. 18 @ 5:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church Hall. Tickets are $8 (or $6 with a non-perishable food donation) & $5 for students, available at Unisphere 529-2656.
Nutrition 101: The Science behind Healthy Nutrition, featuring Dr. Peter Nieman. 7:30 p.m. on October 27 in room S159 at Medicine Hat College. 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 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.
Celebrations This Week
Birthdays: Heberney Contreras, Judy Nay, Ralph Roth, Kelly Sanders, & Thea Toogood
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving celebration of the 60th anniversary of
Marion & Alex Shand,
a gift from their children and grandchildren
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for South Alberta Japanese Pastoral Charge, George Takashima.
Sunday School Co-ordinator....................................... Tara Johnson
Greeters & Ushers...................................... Vern & Beth Miner &
Everett & Clara White
Nursery Coordinator.............................................. Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts................................... Donna Scharf, Jacquie Heard,
Kim Sherring & Pat Evans
Elder-in-Charge...........................................................John Sidlick
Next Week’s Readings from: Job 38:1-7, (34-41); Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c; Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 10:35-45
Stewardship Thought For Today
Give to God what’s right—not what’s left.
Anonymous
Renew your faith in television…
Tonight @ 6:30 p.m. on Vision TV
October 15, 2006—Changing Times (19th Season Premiere) - Introducing David Giuliano, the new Moderator of The United Church of Canada, elected at the 39th General Council. The church's newly appointed General Secretary of the General Council, Nora Sanders, talks with host Royal Orr about her expectations for the near future. This program will also include highlights from the proceedings of 39th General Council, held in Thunder Bay, Ontario, in August 2006. General Council is the church's national gathering, held once every three years to discern, decide, and provide guidance for the overall direction of the church.
Board Summary
For the October 10, 2006 Board of Elders Meeting
Eleven elders and James were in attendance.
The Board dealt with the correspondence before it: including a request for a hand sanitizer option, a request for a school Christmas program to be held in the sanctuary in December and a letter from a person who was sharing her experience of gathering for coffee in Memorial Hall following worship.
The Board talked about the need for persons to serve on the board in 2007 and also began reviewing and discussing the committee budget proposals for the 2007 year.
Special cookies were served as the Fall Supper details were discussed. As the purchased turkeys were a bit smaller this year there is a need for more turkey cookers. Our music and ministerial remuneration schedule was also revised for weddings and funerals to reflect changes in the community.
Respectfully submitted,
Alvin Cruickshank
Chairperson the Board of Elders