March 18, 2007
Lent IV
Images of God’s steadfast love and forgiveness emerge in the accounts of a father running out to welcome home a wayward son, and of a people feasting in their homeland after years of wandering. These stories prompt us to shout for joy, celebrating God’s bountiful mercy and committing ourselves to our own ministries of reconciliation.
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
Sharing Announcements
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Whoever we are,
All: All are welcome here!
One: Wherever we have been,
All: All are welcome here!
One: Whatever we have done,
All: All are welcome here!
One: In the midst of temptation, anxiety, or confusion,
All: All are welcome here!
One: ome, let us join in community together.
All are welcome in this place. We are invited to experience forgiveness, community, welcome and a sense of love. May we feel that love in this time, may we share it with one another, and may we leave this place committed to sharing this love in our world. Amen.
Jr. Choir Sings “I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing”
Conversation Time
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
See back of bulletin.
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
The Circumcision at Gilgal
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 32 & From the Epistles
2 Corinthians 5:16-21.
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 100
The Lost Son (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)
One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Reflection for the Fourth of Lent: Changing Perspectives
Hymn # 371 “Open My Eyes, That I May See”
Mission Moment: Betty Sidlick
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory
Your work, O God, needs many hands to help you everywhere,
And some there are who cannot serve unless our gifts we share
Because we love you and your work, our offering now we make:
Be pleased to use it as your own, we ask for Jesus’ sake.
Prayer of Dedication (One)
Hymn # 375 “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”
Postlude
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (March 18 – 24)
Sun. Worship, Lent IV, Jr. Choir 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
Tues.Prayer Shawl 1:30 p.m. Lounge
Meditation Group 7:00 p.m. Luyten Hall
Wed.Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Lenten Study 7:00 p.m. Lounge
Thurs.Senior Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
Next Week at Westminster (March 25 – March 31)
Sun. CD Meeting 9:00 am Lounge
Worship, Lent IV 10:25 am Sanctuary
Tues.Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:30 pm Lounge
Meditation Group 7:00 pm Luyten Hall
Wed.Bible Study 9:30 am Nursery
Lenten Study 7:00 pm Lounge
Thurs.Senior Choir Practise 7:00 pm Sanctuary
FridayYard Clean-up 5:00 pm Outside
Sat. Yard Clean-up 9:00 am Outside
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.)
Lost & Found: Have you missed placed any key chains, keys or earrings lately? Please stop by the church office and check out our lost and found section. For clothing items, see the box by the coat rack in the sanctuary.
Linnea Good & Good Company in concert with Story-teller Nancy Reeves at Fifth Avenue Memorial on Tuesday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. Ticket prices are Adults: $10.00, Ages 6 - 12: $5.00, Families: $25.00, Children under 6 are free! Tickets available at Church office.
March 21st is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. To help celebrate this day, there will be a supper at Fifth Avenue Memorial at 5:30 pm, Traditional Native Menu. Multi-cultural Dance and Storytelling to follow upstairs in the Sanctuary. Tickets are $5.00/person or $20/family. For more information, call Heather Baum at SEARCH Society, 526-8745.
Water, A Looming Crisis, Dr. Byrne of the University of Lethbridge, believes our Water is Under Fire. Come and hear Dr. Byrne, Friday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m. in the Medicine Hat College Room S159.
2007 South Alberta United Church Youth Rally (grades six to twelve), Friday, March 23rd to Sunday March 25th at Knox United Church in Taber (7:30 p.m. Friday – Noon, Sunday). Cost: $25.00/person, (this includes meals and swimming). This year’s theme: “Who is That Guy?!” Images of Jesus range from ‘a glass of warm milk’ to a revolutionary. Who do you say Jesus is? Registration forms available on the bulletin board.
You are invited to meet Tiza Chewe, Zambian Guest of the United Church of Canada In Medicine Hat at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church on Wednesday March 28 at 1:30 pm for Conversation, 2:00 p.m. Hymn Sing, 3:00 p.m. Personal reflection in sanctuary or walking the labyrinth, 3:30 Water issues in the World, or March 29 at 1:30 pm. Refreshments will be served.
Peace at Home: Join us to explore with various religious representatives at Medicine Hat College, Campus Cafeteria, March 29th 2007, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Representation: Buddhism, Judaism, First Nation, Christianity and Islam. Chairperson: Mayor Garth Vallely.
Spring Yard Clean-up will be Friday, March 30, at 5 p.m. and Saturday, March 31st at 9 a.m. Many hands make light work, and the more we have the quicker it will go. Please bring yard tools to help.
Friday, March 30th at 7:00 p.m. there will be Easter Egg decorating and an egg hunt at Westminster United Church. Bring a hard-boiled egg for you to decorate and a goodie to share.
The Senior Choir: will be taking part in a choir night, April 1 at 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church. You are welcome to attend.
Peace United Church in Irvine would like to invite everyone to their Annual Ham & Sausage Supper. Sunday, April 1, 2007, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
The UCW will be holding an “Easter Bonnet Parade” followed by Tea and Hot Cross Buns on April 4th, at 1:00 p.m., everyone is welcome.
Canyon Camp: Registration forms and camp dates are posted on the bulletin board.
Camp Shagabee: Registration forms and camp dates are on the bulletin
board. There are also summer job opportunities posted for this camp.
The ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community this week as James conducted the funeral service for Beula Barby, and Jane conducted the funeral service for Winnifred Jackson.
Birthdays: Garrett Ramage, Trish Richard, Jean Jans, Doris Humphries, Lana Blatz, Anna LeClair, Elnora Heine.
Anniversaries: Wayne & Daisy Adams.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning
in loving memory of
Bill Lamb
By Helen and Family
South Alberta Presbytery
Taber Pastoral Charge
Sunday School Co-ordinator............... ... Tara Johnson
Greeters & Ushers ….Fran Cove, Joy Biko, Lil Iwanicki,
.... ................................................... ………..Jim Neigum
Nursery Attendant............................. . Janice Neigum
Coffee Hosts…………….. Donna Scharf, Marion Shand,
…………………………………......Gail and Lenora Stein
Scripture Reader................................ Karen Hauber
Elder-in-Charge................................. Albert Hoffarth
Next Week’s Readings from: Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126, Philemon 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8
Stewardship Thought For Today
Generosity brings honour to the giver as well as to the recipient. by Barbara Fullerton
Report from the Board of Elders
Nine Elders and James gathered on March 13th. Thea Toogood attended as a guest observer…thanks for coming, Thea. The Board moved that we move ahead with the screen installation and act to get the components ordered. Standing Committees will be sharing their function and mission with the wider congregation to inform and invite participation on some of our committees. Good enthusiasm was shared in all discussions and the 2007 Board is beginning to function together very well.
Respectfully submitted, Alvin Cruikshank