“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
November 26, 2006
Reign of Christ Sunday
The Almighty One – who is, and who was, and who is to come – encircles us in hope before and beyond all time. Thanks be to God! What enduring hope do you celebrate? What enduring truth shapes your daily living? How do you, through your faith community, express hope in God’s eternal truth?
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 “Sonatina in F” by Clementi
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: In our circle of uncertainty and hurry,
All: you, God, are the fixed point of calm.
One: In our stretched moments of stress and emotion,
All: you, God, are the secure center of peace.
One: In our well-worn routine of the everyday,
All: you, God, are the flash of fresh inspiration.
One: In our moments of the ordinary and the earthly,
All: you, God, are the Spirit that transforms.
May we prepare for the reign of Christ. When the reign of Christ begins, all will be free to worship and to express their opinions. Weapons of war will be destroyed and all children will be secure. Mother Earth will be respected and her waters will be pure. Prayer and praise will flow spontaneously to God and worship will be wholehearted and joyful. But when will the reign of Christ begin? ‘We’ will bring it closer! Amen.
Hymn #357 “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” vv. 1-4
Conversation Time
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
Prayer of Transformation & Assurance of Pardon
One: We long for Christ’s reign on earth; the poor and powerless will get a fair deal.
All: Where we lack generosity, may we be encouraged to share.
One: We long for Christ’s reign on earth; the vulnerable ones will gain confidence.
All: Where we lack confidence, may we open our eyes to see the downtrodden.
One: We long for Christ’s reign on earth; those controlled and restricted will be free.
All: Where we lack a liberating attitude, may we be enabled to work in new ways.
One: We long for Christ’s reign on earth; the faithful will be joyful and active in the community.
All: Where we lack involvement, may we be opened to initiatives of compassion and participation. (Time of Silent Reflection…)
Assurance of Pardon (One)
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
Greetings to the Seven Churches
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 132:1-12, (13-18) & From the Hebrew Scriptures - 2 Samuel 23:1-7.
Jesus is Brought Before Pilate (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)
One: This is the Good News of Jesus Christ
Hymn #352 “I Danced in the Morning”
Mission Moment Joy Biko
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory “It Is Well With My Soul” arr. by Ritter
Prayer of Dedication (One)
Hymn #330 “Jesus Shall Reign”
Commissioning (One)
Christ is our example! We will acknowledge his loving leadership. We will follow his Way carefully. We will serve others justly and carefully. We will resist evil resolutely. We will strive to establish his rule on earth.
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 “Allegro” by Haydn
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (November 26 - December 2)
Sun. Christian Development 9:00 a.m. Lounge
Worship 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
Jr. Choir Practice after worship Lounge
Car Rally 3:00 p.m. Memorial Hall
Tues. Staff Meeting 9:00 a.m. Lounge
Meditation Group 7:00 p.m. Adoption 2000
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Confirmation Class 7:00 p.m. James’ Office
Thurs. Senior Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
Next Week at Westminster (December 3 - 9)
Sun. Music & Worship 9:00 a.m. Lounge
Advent I, Communion 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
Jr. Choir Practice after worship Lounge/Sanctuary
UCW Executives after worship Lounge
Ministry & Personnel after worship Shalom Room
Tues. Meditation Group 7:00 p.m. Adoption 2000
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Confirmation Class 7:00 p.m. James’ Office
Square Circle UCW 7:30 p.m. Lounge
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.)
Christmas Outreach – During Advent we are, again, collecting Birthday bags for the Food Bank ~ cake mixes, icing, candles, balloons, etc. Also for the Homeless Shelter ~ warm socks & personal hygiene items ~ mitts, hats & gloves are also welcome.
November-December Upper Room Daily Devotional Booklet’s are available on the ramp and in the Narthex for $2.00 each.
The Photo Directories have arrived! They can be picked up at the office during the week or if you would like to purchase one of the overprint copies, the cost is $8.00.
Nursery volunteers are needed to help on Sundays during worship. Please contact Tanya Hoffarth at 526-7570; also wanted for the Nursery, gently used interactive toys for toddlers (ie. plastic food, Fisher Price barn, or Little People house; No Lego, blocks, trucks, toy cars, or baby rattles are needed). Toys may be brought to the nursery or church office. Thank you!
P.A.R. (Pre-Authorized Remittance) application forms can be picked up & returned to the church office or call Donna Scharf at 526-1555.
Congregational Car Rally, today at 3:00 p.m. Potluck supper to follow, $5.00 per car: See Jane after worship if you’d like to participate and have not already registered.
Christmas decorating for the Sanctuary will take place on Thursday, November 30 at 10:00 a.m. All who are able to come that day are welcome!
The Selah Singers “A Christmas to Remember” performing Christmas music on: Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. St. Barnabas Anglican, Dec. 2 at 7:00 p.m. Temple Baptist, & Dec. 3 at 7:00 p.m. Christ The King Assembly.
Meditation Group’s last meeting before the Christmas break will be Tuesday, December 5th. We will resume on the 9th of January, 2007.
Prayer Shawl Ministry: our first meetings will be on Tuesday, Dec. 5th at 1:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. in the Lounge. Bring your needles and wool. For more information call Jane.
The Adele Armstrong Singers, Saamis Teens Girls’ Chorus & Kodaly Children’s Choir will present, “Christmas Card 2006” – “A Celebration & Song” on December 5th & 6th at 7:30 p.m. at Fifth Avenue Memorial. For more information see the office or call Evan Tonin at 527-3621.
The Blue Christmas Service will be hosted this year by Fifth Avenue Memorial. Again we shall gather on the second Sunday of Advent, Sunday December 10 at 2:00 p.m. Christmas can be a painful time for some. You may be approaching this season without loved family members or friends who have recently died. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation – all can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern. Our hope is that this service will provide an opportunity for such reflection. Please share this information with any who you believe may find it a comfort.
Birthdays: Fran Cove, Bob Herring, Linda Kinvig, Marg Laing, Patty McFarlane, and Mallery Sanders.
Anniversaries: Elmer & Gladys Schlenker.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning
in loving memory of
Hugh Pringle
by
Olive and family
Throughout the fall, the ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community as James & Jane conducted funeral services for Janice Harrison, Gertrude Ayers, Deral Marr, Sebastian Giesinger, Andrew Mehrer, & Ellen Roth. A funeral service was also conducted for one of our long time members, Flo Dale. Our condolences go out to all their families. Yesterday, a private family service was held for Bob Crews and we remember Clare and the family especially at this time.
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for Naramata and Calling Lakes (PCTC) Centres.
Sunday School Co-ordinator........................................ Tara Johnson
Greeters & Ushers................................................ UCW Electra Unit
Nursery Attendant...................................................... Jackie Carlson
Coffee Hosts........................................................ UCW Electra Unit
Scripture Reader.......................................................... Grace Lemon
Cantor........................................................................ Grace Alcock
Elder-in-Charge.................................................... Alvin Cruickshank
Next Week’s Readings from: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10;
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; & Luke 21:25-36.
Stewardship Thought For Today
If people are good only because they fear punishment and hope for regard, then we are a sorry lot indeed.
by Albert Einstein (1879-1955), physicist