Westminster United  Church

 “We are journeying together in God’s love…

to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

 

October 22, 2006

Peace Sunday

 

After a time of profound questions, Job proclaims his faith in God: “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see you.” We, like Job and the disciples, are called to trust God in the midst of our questions. When have you, like Job, experienced the presence of God? In what ways have your questions helped you to grow in faith and trust?

 

If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.

 

We Gather To Worship God

 

Prelude “Gavotte” by A. Thomas

 

Sharing Announcements

 A Time of Greeting

 

A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

 

Call to Worship (Responsive)

One:        Let us worship God in the community called church.

All:      We can worship God on the seashore or a mountaintop, but it gives us joy to be together.

One:        Let us pray to God in the community called church.

All:      We can pray by dinner tables or hospital beds, while we are working or taking a walk, but we feel peace when we pray together

One:        Let us serve God in the community called church.

All:      We can serve God at the homeless shelter or the ballot box, or every time we help a neighbour, but we are stronger when we serve together.

 

Prayer of Approach (Unison)

Gentle God, some of us gather to prayer from grieving moods or hurting bodies, from fear or loss or pain. Others of us gather to prayer from joy, excitement and hope. We bring you a harmony of lives, a rainbow of feelings, a community of mutual support and profound worship. Amen.

 

Hymn #605 “Jesus, Teacher, Brave and Bold”

Conversation Time

 

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

 

Prayer of Transformation & Assurance of Pardon

 

God, you have put wisdom in our inward parts so that deep down we know your ways, and along with the stars and the planets we give you praise. Yet sometimes our actions deny the wisdom you have provided, and we do things to ourselves and to your world that contradict your ways. Forgive us, God, and help us to follow the wisdom that you have given us so that with Jesus, we might become the faithful and compassionate people you have created us to be… (Silent Reflection).

 

Assurance of Pardon (One)

Nothing can separate us from God’s love and forgiveness. Receive God’s love. Receive God’s forgiveness and be at peace. Amen.

 

We Listen For God’s Word

 

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Job 38:1-7, (34-41) From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 532

The Lord Answers Job

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 104: 1-9, 24, 35c

 

Anthem “Sanctus” by Haydn

            Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts

            Heaven and earth sing His praises

            Glory in the highest, Hosanna in the highest.

 

Mark 10: 35-45 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 61

The Request of James and John (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)

 

One: This is the Good News of Jesus Christ

All: Thanks be to God

 

Reflection

 

Hymn #595 “We Are Pilgrims”

 

Mission Moment Mina Carlson

 

We Respond In Giving And Gratitude

 

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

 

Offertory “The Lord Is My Shepherd” by T. Koschat

 

Dedication #539 (tune 378) “God of All Good”

God of all good, our gifts we bring to you,

Use them your holy purpose to fulfill;

Tokens of love and pledges brought anew

That our whole life is offered to your will.

 

Prayer of Dedication (One)

Out of our care for creation and for God’s people everywhere, we offer these gifts and our lives in God’s service. Amen.

 

Hymn #248 “When Long Before Time”

 

Commissioning (One)

Go back into this beautiful and broken world today. Hold to the choice to be ready, a flame of hope that will not go out, a gentle, persistent defiance against despair. Follow the Light of the World. The Holy One will lead.

 

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 “Grand Processional” by J. Brahms

 

The Life And Work Of The Congregation

 

Welcome to this Westminster this morning. 

 Please gather for coffee in

Memorial Hall following the service.

 

This 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.              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

 

Next Week at Westminster (Oct 29-Nov 4)

Sun.        Worship                          10:25 a.m.            Sanctuary

               Jr. Choir Practice             after worship         Lounge

Tues.      Staff meeting                    9:00 a.m.              Lounge

               Meditation Group            7:00 p.m.              Adoption 2000

Wed.      Bible Study                      9:30 a.m.              Nursery

               Mission & Outreach        10:00 a.m.            Jane’s Office

               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.

 

Thank you to everyone who contributed goodies for Sunday coffee times, the freezers are temporarily filled and we will let you know when more are needed. Also, the trays and containers are stacking up and can be picked up from 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 a.m. in the Nursery.

 

Nutrition 101: The Science behind Healthy Nutrition, featuring Dr. Nieman. 7:30 p.m. on October 27, in room S159 at the 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 information, please call Janice Neigum @ 526-1294 or see the poster on the bulletin board.

 

Pumpkin Carving will be taking place on Saturday, October 28 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Come one, come all and bring your own pumpkin! Patterns provided and some carving tools will be available to share. Free for all in Memorial Hall.

 

Gordon Memorial Turkey Supper is October 29. There are two sitting times: 4:30 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. Prices are: Adults-$10; 6-12 years-$6; & Family-$35. For more information & tickets call Reita @ 548-3517.

 

Westminster 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. 22 & 29 after worship. Prices are: Adults-$10; Youth 5-12-$5; & Family-$25.

 

Poinsettia Tartan Tea, to be held on November 18 @ 2:00 p.m. 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.

 

Baptism is scheduled for November 19. Anyone interested in baptism please call Jane @ 526-5247.

 

Congregational Car Rally, November 26 @ 3:00 p.m. Potluck supper to follow and keep posted for more information.

 

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays:     Bob Bildfell, Marlon Croissant, Ed Heine, Olga Jauch, Gladys Leitch, Allison Scott, & Leota Steele.

 

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning

In loving memory of cherished daughter

Sherry Carstensen

Love always

The Iwanicki Family

 

South Alberta Presbytery

Your prayers this week are requested for Taber Pastoral Charge, Jim Lochhead.

 

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

 

Sunday School Co-ordinator............................ Tara Johnson           

Greeters & Ushers................. Gladys Schlenker, Jean Pfeifer,

Phyllis Schorr, Marion Shand, & Hank & Lil Iwanicki

Nursery Attendant.......................................... Jackie Carlson

Coffee Hosts... May Cooper, Fran Cove, & Mary Robertson

Scripture Reader................................................. Grace Roth

Elder-in-Charge.................................................. Lesley Berg

 

Next Week’s Reading’s from: Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22); Hebrews 7:23-28; & Mark 10:46-52.

 

Stewardship Thought For Today

You have not lived until you have done something for someone who

can never repay you.

by John Bunyan (1628-88),

English Puritan writer and preacher

 

Spirit Connection

Renew your faith in Television…

Tonight @ 4:00 p.m. (new time) on Vision TV

October 22, 2006 - A New Face: St. James United Church, Montreal - For nearly 80 years St. James United Church in Montreal has been hidden from Ste-Catherine Street West by other buildings, which blocked the church from public view. In the last few years the rundown stores and offices in front of the church have been removed, revealing the now-restored and beautiful face of St. James. The re-emergence of the building mirrors the re-emergence of the congregation as "the church in the heart of the city, with the city at heart."