“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
January 28, 2007
This Sunday: Our 2007 Congregational Meeting
Paul urges the community of Christ to love expressed in action. How might this text shape or transform the way we embody love today, especially in the context of community? How does love prepare us for God—and how does God prepare us for love?
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 “Marche Religioso” by Gounod
Sharing Announcements
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Gathered as a worshipping community,
All: We respond to God with prayer.
One: Gathered as a learning community,
All: We respond to God by listening to each other.
One: Gathered as a compassionate community,
All: We respond to God with acts of caring.
One: Gathered as a serving community,
All: We respond to God as we identify the powerless and stand beside them.
In the turmoil of our world, we come searching for calm and understanding. In the uncertainty of our faith community, we come searching for a confident way with Jesus as our example. In the ups and downs of family life, we come searching for joy together. In the time of individual challenge, we come searching for faithful resolution. Amen.
Junior Choir Anthem “We Will Bring Your Peace”
Conversation Time
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
We celebrate the life which we have. We have experienced broken lives made whole, old wounds of alienation healed over, and tired spirits rejuvenated with new vision. We are so grateful for the purpose and possibilities that have been placed before us. Yet there are times when doubt has overcome hope, cynicism has replaced dedication, and the world’s values have captured us. Forgive us those times, we pray. May we let go of the past that we might move joyfully into a new future that points to love and justice…(silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Biblical Notes:
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 From the Epistles
The greatest is love.
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 71:1-6 and From the Hebrew Scriptures – Jeremiah 1:4-10.
Luke 4:21-30 From the Christian Scriptures
Jesus escapes hostilities. (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)
One: This is the witness of God’s people.
A Message
Hymn #372 “Though I May Speak”
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Our Church Tithes and Offerings
Offertory “O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee” by H. P. Smith
Dedication #79 “Arise, Your Light Is Come” vs 1-2
Prayer of Dedication (one)
Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer
Hymn #582 “There’s a Spirit in the Air”
Commissioning
We are called from our very different situations, as servants. We are called to serve with others within this lively faith community. You are called to serve in the Way of Christ beyond the boundaries of this church. We are called to serve the downtrodden and confused, the lonely, sad, and misunderstood, the ones Christ served.
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 “Air” by Haydn
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (January 28 – February 3)
Sun. Christian Development 9:00 a.m. Lounge
Worship 10:25 am. Sanctuary
Potluck Lunch following worship Memorial Hall
Annual Congregational Meeting Memorial Hall
Tues.Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:30 p.m. Lounge
Meditation 7:00 p.m. Adoption 2000
Wed.Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Thurs.Senior Choir Practise 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
Next Week at Westminster (February 4 -10)
Sun. Worship 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
UCW Executive noon Youth Room
Jr. Choir Practice follow worship Lounge
Tues.Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:30 & 7:00 p.m. Lounge
Meditation 7:00 p.m. Adoption 2000
Wed.Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Square Circle UCW 7:30 p.m. Lounge
Thurs.Senior Choir Practise 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
Electra UCW (Knitting) 1:30 p.m. Lounge
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.).
The Annual Congregational Meeting is today beginning with a potluck lunch immediately following worship. This is the time that we take to review the past year’s work, show our appreciation to those
who contributed to that work and make plans for the coming year.
The South Alberta Presbytery Covenanting Service with Fifth Avenue Memorial and the Rev. Gary Goran will be held today at 2:00 p.m. at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church. Everyone welcome.
During this coming week, please call the Rev. Blaine Schaufele at 548-7243 or the Rev. Gary Goran at 526-2237 for emergent needs.
Spring/Lenten Study: This year, we will be engaging the Living the Questions series of videos to inform our discussion as we meet together 6 Wednesday evenings in Lent beginning Ash Wednesday, February 21st. Our gathering time will be at 7 p.m. in the Church Lounge. All are welcome. If you intend to attend, please let James know as this will facilitate better set up and preparation for this study.
Our next Baptism Sunday will tentatively be March 19th. Anyone interested in adult or infant baptism, please speak to James.
The Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter is in need of childcare volunteers during the daytime and in the evenings. If you are interested in this, or any other volunteer opportunity at the Women’s Shelter, please call the Volunteer Coordinator at the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter at 527-8223 or e-mail volunteer@psh-medhat.com.
Ladies Night Out:. An Introduction to Yoga on Thursday, February 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the lounge. Wear comfy clothes and join in the fun. This is for all ability levels, no experience necessary. All ladies welcome.
Sunday School Teachers’ meeting on Sunday, February 11, after worship in the Shalom Room.
Celebrations This Week
Birthdays: Larry Henderson, Melanie Rattai, Vern Miner, Florence Gardner, Kristen Skogen, Danielle Skogen, Shirley Christian, Julie Brown, Jim Neigum, Rob Henderson, Ken Empey, and Holly Johnson.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of their parents by
Lawrence & Jean Pfeifer and Elmer & Gladys Schlenker
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South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for Milk River, New Dayton, Coutts Pastoral Charge and Mary Young.
Sunday School Co-ordinator................................ Tara Johnson
Greeters and Ushers ……............................ …… Marion Shand, Carol Bell,
Gladys Schlenker, Jean and Lawrence Pfeifer, and Phyllis Schorr
Nursery Coordinator............................................. Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts......................................................... Fran Cove, Grace Roth, May Cooper
Scripture Reader................................................... Lil Iwanicki
Cantor.................................................................... Grace Alcock
Elder-in-Charge.................................................... Leslie Berg
Next Week’s Readings from: Jeremiah 1: 4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30
Stewardship Thought For Today
“The greatest gift is love, and love compels us to be generous.”
By Barbara Fullerton